Pedigree, heritage and tradition will be the highlight when the Premier Interschools game between Paarl Boys’ High and Grey College kicks off in Paarl this weekend.
Paarl Boys’ High (1868) and Grey College (1855) are amongst the oldest rugby schools in South Africa. They first played each other in 1950 and did not have a regular annual fixture due to the distance between the schools. Grey and Paarl Boys’ High (also known as Boishaai) played each other 21 times from 1950 up to 1995 and since then it became an annual event. In total they have played 47 matches with Grey having won 36, Paarl Boys’ winning nine and having two draws.
The 2020 fixture did not happen due to the Covid pandemic, but they did get to play each other in 2021, just before all rugby was shut down again.
Since 2011 the Paarl outfit have been much more competitive than the earlier years having been on the winning end four of their nine wins with one draw in this period.
Scores Through The Years
| Year | Grey | HJS |
| 2022 | 21 | 12 |
| 2021 | 37 | 3 |
| 2019 | 43 | 24 |
| 2018 | 34 | 20 |
| 2017 | 31 | 46 |
| 2016 | 18 | 28 |
| 2015 | 19 | 21 |
| 2014 | 15 | 10 |
| 2013 | 35 | 28 |
| 2012 | 18 | 28 |
| 2011 | 15 | 15 |
| 2010 | 32 | 12 |
| 2009 | 50 | 8 |
| 2008 | 34 | 24 |
| 2007 | 48 | 24 |
| 2006 | 20 | 5 |
| 2005 | 38 | 13 |
| 2004 | 38 | 3 |
| 2003 | 27 | 16 |
| 2002 | 23 | 6 |
| 2001 | 38 | 15 |
| 2000 | 10 | 17 |
| 1999 | 34 | 16 |
| 1998 | 20 | 6 |
| 1997 | 20 | 16 |
| 1996 | 9 | 16 |
| 1995 | 18 | 6 |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | 23 | 6 |
| 1987 | 31 | 14 |
| 1984 | 19 | 14 |
| 1984 | 32 | 12 |
| 1983 | 0 | 14 |
| 1980 | 13 | 4 |
| 1979 | 13 | 15 |
| 1978 | 29 | 13 |
| 1977 | 29 | 13 |
| 1974 | 21 | 7 |
| 1973 | 24 | 0 |
| 1960 | 14 | 0 |
| 1960 | 11 | 3 |
| 1957 | 3 | 8 |
| 1956 | 13 | 3 |
| 1954 | 6 | 3 |
| 1954 | 8 | 3 |
| 1953 | 12 | 9 |
| 1950 | 10 | 6 |
Grey College Season so Far:
| Date | Opp | For | Against |
| 2023/02/25 | Trio | 38 | 10 |
| 2023/03/11 | Welkom Gim | 73 | 21 |
| 2023/03/23 | Marlow | 52 | 12 |
| 2023/03/25 | St Andrews | 48 | 0 |
| 2023/03/31 | Paarl Gim | 33 | 12 |
| 2023/04/03 | Maritzburg College | 37 | 24 |
| 2023/04/15 | Outeniqua | 19 | 17 |
| 2023/04/29 | Garsfontein | 23 | 9 |
| 2023/05/01 | Stellenberg | 31 | 8 |
| 2023/05/06 | Selborne | 41 | 0 |
Grey is back to their best this season seemingly unstoppable at the moment. They swept away most opposition but had a fight on their hands against Outeniqua in George before eventually overcoming the strong Kwagga side by two points. They have hardly moved into top gear this season and perhaps Paarl Boys can put up some resistance this coming weekend. Grey has played ten games thus far and remains unbeaten.
Paarl Boys’ High Season so Far:
| Date | Opp | For | Against |
| 2023/03/18 | HTS Drostdy | 13 | 6 |
| 2023/03/25 | Durbanville | 25 | 26 |
| 2023/04/01 | Jeppe | 43 | 21 |
| 2023/04/04 | Affies | 26 | 19 |
| 2023/04/06 | Selborne | 48 | 5 |
| 2023/04/08 | KES | 10 | 8 |
| 2023/04/10 | Northwood | 29 | 7 |
| 2023/04/15 | Oakdale | 17 | 20 |
| 2023/04/22 | SACS | 34 | 18 |
| 2023/04/28 | Glenwood | 35 | 13 |
| 2023/05/01 | Helpmekaar | 15 | 10 |
| 2023/05/06 | Stellenberg | 41 | 29 |
Paarl Boys’ High School has overcome some big names this season like Affies and Selborne, but this year’s team seems to blow hot and cold during a game. There seems to be a kink in the Paarl Boys forward armour this year as their line-outs have been very poor and not on par with such a top team. If they do not find the answer for their line-out problems it is going to be a very long day in Paarl against a Grey team that will punish any mistakes. They have a very potent back three and if they can get some decent ball to their backs, they could cause some problems for Grey.
Rugby at Grey College
Grey has served Bloemfontein, the Free State, South Africa and the world well over the past 150 years. This top school has been able to make adjustments and remain relevant in a changing environment in which it has developed, grown and excelled. The brand is known and revered throughout South Africa and even internationally and the products of the school make a positive difference wherever they are. Parallel medium education, tolerance, respect for others and loyalty to the school are not only traditions, but firm foundations in a global village. Grey is structured on these foundations and it is constantly adapting to new developments. The wave of change washing over our country confirms the value of Grey’s traditions.
Grey has produced 46 Springbok rugby players. Since WWII it has produced more Springbok players than any other school in SA, their latest being centre Francois Venter.
List of Grey Springboks:
| Player | DebutYear |
| Herman van Broekhuizen | 1896 |
| Boetie McHardy | 1912 |
| Sarel Strauss | 1921 |
| Louis Babrow | 1937 |
| Harry Martin | 1937 |
| Piet de Wet | 1938 |
| Popeye Strydom | 1955 |
| John Wessels | 1956 |
| Gert Cilliers | 1963 |
| Flip vd Merwe | 2010 |
| Deon Stegman | 2010 |
| Johan Spies | 1970 |
| Morné du Plessis | 1971 |
| Dawie Snyman | 1972 |
| Jackie Snyman | 1974 |
| Theuns Stofberg | 1976 |
| Robbie Blair | 1977 |
| Jaco Reinach | 1986 |
| Helgard Muller | 1986 |
| Pieter Muller | 1992 |
| Heinrich Fuls | 1992 |
| Johan Styger | 1992 |
| Ruben Kruger | 1993 |
| Naka Drotske | 1993 |
| Ollie le Roux | 1994 |
| Werner Swanepoel | 1997 |
| Charl Marais | 1999 |
| CJ van der Linde | 2002 |
| Gerrie Britz | 2004 |
| Ruan Pienaar | 2006 |
| Francois Steyn | 2006 |
| Jannie du Plessis | 2007 |
| Bismarck du Plessis | 2007 |
| Adriaan Strauss | 2008 |
| Heinrich Brussow | 2008 |
| Wian du Preez | 2009 |
| Deon Stegmann | 2010 |
| Andries Strauss | 2011 |
| Johan Goosen | 2012 |
| Coenie Oosthuizen | 2012 |
| Tiaan Liebenberg | 2012 |
| Jan Serfontein | 2013 |
| Piet Van Zyl | 2013 |
| Marcel van der Merwe | 2014 |
| Cobus Reinach | 2014 |
| Francois Venter | 2016 |
Rugby at Paarl Boys’ High School
Rugby is an integral part of the Paarl Boys’ way of life. It is important to win, but that should not be the primary objective. The primary objective at Paarl Boys’ High must be one of enjoyment, for players and coaches alike. Winning relates to the values, commitment and the pursuit of the best of one’s abilities.
PBHS has produced 23 players that have represented South Africa since 1906. Some of the legends and most famous Springbok rugby players ever to have played in the Green and Gold. Players like Oom “Boy” and Fanie Louw, Piet “Spiere” du Toit, Mannetjies Roux, Ryk van Schoor, Carel Du Plessis and Corné Krige all hail from PBHS. Their latest Springboks are Salmaan Moerat and Evan Roos who were both capped in 2022.
Paarl Boys provided eight SA Schools players in 2016 which is a new record for any school in one year.
Paarl Boys’ High Springboks.
- Cocky Hahn (1910)
- Dirkie de Villiers (1910)
- Louis Louw (1912)
- Theuns Kruger (1921)
- Champion Myburgh (1924)
- Jack Bester (1924)
- Boy Louw (1928)
- Manie Geere (1933)
- Fanie Louw (1933)
- Ben du Toit (1938)
- Ryk van Schoor (1949)
- Theuns Briers (1955)
- Piet du Toit (1958)
- Mannetjies Roux (1960)
- Haas Schoeman (1963)
- Carel du Plessis (1982)
- Wium Basson (1997)
- Corné Krige (1999)
- Gürthro Steenkamp (2004)
- Frans Malherbe (2013)
- Thomas Joubert Du Toit (2018)
- Salmaan Moerat (2022)
- Evan Roos (2022)
The netball will be broadcast on Thursday, 11 May at 16h40 and rugby derby will be broadcast live on Saturday, 13 May at 13h55 on SuperSport Schools (channel 216)
Media release issued by Terras Communications on behalf of Premier Interschools.
For press assistance contact Lauren Terras on +27 82 785 2644 or e-mail [email protected]. For further information on Terras Communications visit www.terrascomms.com
